Rockin Robin Quilt Along Row 5

This is the FIFTH AND LAST row in the Rockin Robin Quilt Along. The row was based one “hexies” and is designed by Jen at ReannaLily Designs- wait, that’s me! This IS the tutorial page! (A pdf, printer-friendly version will be linked at the bottom of this post.)

Wait ’til you see how all the previous rows have come together. Everyone in the Quilt Along is making such different (but similar) very cool quilts. I’m loving the colors. This row, in particular, has lots of wiggle room for customizing. I cannot wait to see your variations in the flickr pool. And check out the row made by each of the other designers-

Hexagon Row:

This row style is repeated twice in the Rockin Robin Quilt and the yardages given will allow you to make 2 rows, each 6 1/2″ x 48″. This set of rows is designed to work as a spacer in between the other 12 1/2″ x 48″ rows.

Row size: 6 1/2” x 48 1/2”

Materials:

20” solid background fabric

16 small prepared hexagons measuring 3” (template provided on blog)

6 large prepared hexagons measuring 4” (template provided on blog)

Fusible Web product (OPTIONAL and only used for raw-edge fusible applique technique)

*Hexagons are made from scrap fabrics or focus fabrics for your quilt design.

Construction:

Step 1. Make Hexagons

Click to see larger

Cut out the paper templates for the hexagons. Cut the fabric shapes, roughly 1/2” larger than the hexagon paper.

Lay the paper template on the wrong side of the fabric hexagon and finger press the seam allowances towards the wrong side.

Use a hand sewing needle and large basting stitch to temporarily tack the seam allowances, folded, to the paper template.

Once the hexagon seam allowances are basted on each side, press with an iron to make the edges crisp.

FUSIBLE OPTION: If you are a raw-edge fusible applique person, that is cool. Add the fusible to the wrong side of the fabric, per the manufacturer’s directions. Cut each hexagon to the exact cut size of the template. Arrange the hexagons as described in Step 3 and fuse them in place per the manufacturers directions. You will still need to machine stitch around the perimeter of each hexagon shape.

Step 2. Prepare Background Fabric

Stitch the short ends together using a 1/4” seam allowance. Press this seam allowance open.

Measure the constructed strip and make any adjustments to cut the strip to a 48 1/2” length. Note: If you opt to make your quilt larger, cut the background strip to the desired width of the quilt.

Fold the background strip in half and press. Measure 12” from the center and press a fold at each marked location. This will divide the background neatly into equal sections.

Step 3. Arrange and Apply the Hexagons

Place the 3 larger hexagons at each crease on the background fabric. The hexagon points are aligned with the fold.

Lay two to small hexagons the right and left of each larger one. The smaller hexagons are turned, so that a straight edge is parallel to the cut edge of the background strip. The hexagons are placed a finger’s width apart. Use two pins to hold the hexagons in place. Note: Each hexagon row should have 8 smaller hexagons and 3 larger ones.

Using the sewing machine, edge-stitch each hexagon to the background. (You may choose do apply these with traditional hand applique methods, if you like.)

Working from the back, cut a hole within the stitching line of the hexagon to remove the background fabric. This will reveal the paper.

Pull the paper out. It will be perforated and look like a 6-sided postage stamp once it is removed.

Press the entire row to set all the seams.

You’ll want to make this row twice, or really, however many times you like. For the original concept design, this row is repeated twice in the quilt.

And as with each post I did go ahead and make this into a larger photoshop quilt. Unfortunately, Photoshop will only rock it so much, so this virtual quilt isn’t my favorite of the 5 (since all the fabric swatches are lined up). But I do like the idea of the larger + small spaced hexies on a row. We’ll see where this idea leads.